"All that healthy food, like fruit and veg, is too expensive. We're fat because it's in our genes. Our whole family is overweight," she added. “All that healthy food is too expensive. We all love nibbling on biscuits. I once bought some pears but they tasted funny.”

Each week, Mr and Mrs Chawner, who have been married for 23 years, receive £177 in income support and incapacity benefit. Mrs Chawner is paid an extra £330-a-month disability allowance for epilepsy and asthma, both a result of being overweight.

Mr Chawner gets £71 a month after developing Type 2 diabetes because of his size. He was on a waiting list for a gastric band last year, but a heart condition made the operation unsuitable. Their daughter Samantha receives £84 in Jobseekers' Allowance each fortnight while Emma, who is training to be a hairdresser, gets £58 every two weeks under a hardship fund for low-income students.

Emma, said: "I'm a student and don't have time to exercise" she said "We all want to lose weight to stop the abuse we get in the street, but we don't know how. ‘We love TV. It’s on from the moment we get up. Often I’m so tired from watching TV I have to have a nap.’

Good grief, these people embody the culture of entitlement prevalent in the UK today. I'd like to give them a good smack upside the head too ... they all look so smug! Bought some pears but they tasted funny! Enjoy the blog, btw.

About Me

I'm a big guy living in Cleveland, OH. I wasn't always big. I graduated high school weighing only 105 lbs. During my 20's, I was a fitness instructor and I inspired many to get off their duffs to exercise. Now, mid-40's I'm pushing maximum density. (Update May 1, 09: I'm nearly at a "normal" weight!)
When I started this project on Dec 1, 2008 I weighed 233.5 lbs. Follow my progress and I post my weight daily and share the fun & frustration of getting my body back on track.